Archive for category: Ecolink News

Most people associate carcinogens with tobacco products and air pollutants, not with industrial solvents. But some carcinogenic chemicals that cause air pollution come from these solvents, and long-term exposure to the carcinogenic substances can predispose you to develop cancer, just like smoking can. One of the latest industrial chemicals to be exposed to this harsh appraisal is trichloroethene (TCE) — a chemical compound halocarbon that’s commonly used for industrial degreasing jobs.

What the EPA has to Say

According to a report from ChemInfo, in 2011, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that “About 250 million pounds of TCE are produced in or imported into the U.S. every year.” The same year, the organization also classified TCE as “cancerous by all routes of exposure.” That means, if TCE contacts you in any way, you’re worse off than before.

Consequently, the EPA “issued a final significant new use rule (SNUR) for TCE, stating that any company that manufactures, imports or processes TCE for use in a consumer product must notify the agency 90 days in advance.” Of additional note, “The SNUR exempts the use of TCE in several cases including cleaners and solvent degreasers because these ongoing uses cannot be subject to a SNUR.”

Even with the exemption from the SNUR, companies are strongly advised to phase out solvents that contain TCE, and replace them with cleaners that are as efficacious as TCE but less dangerous than TCE-based solvents.

What the HHS has to Say

Following the EPA’s lead, in recent weeks, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) “has further condemned the chemical, upgrading it from a ‘reasonably anticipated to be’ to ‘known’ human carcinogen.”

So, why is a hazardous chemical that’s “known” to cause cancer still used in large quantities as an industrial degreaser and general cleaner? One reason is that suddenly banning or heavily regulating a popular solvent can have an unwanted economic impact, both for solvent users, solvent suppliers, and the industrial solvent industry as a whole.

Using history as a guide, TCE will eventually be placed on the EPA’s List of Lists, and it’s inclusion will be announced well in advance to give companies and organizations plenty of time to switch to safer, non-TCE-based solvents.

How Ecolink Can Help

If your company or organization uses a large volume of TCE solvent, you can get ahead of the game, and replace it before replacement becomes legally mandatory. At Ecolink, we specialize in providing stock and custom solvents that are environmentally safe and environmentally preferred. With our eco friendly solvents in place, you needn’t worry about EPA regulations undercutting your cleaning operations or your workers coming down with chronic illnesses.

To get started on selecting a TCE replacement that you can “drop in” your cleaning system to immediately replace your current solvent, call us today at (800) 563-1305, or complete the contact form on our website. We look forward to learning about your solvent needs and helping you choose safe, effective solutions for your company, its workforce, and the environment.

Flammable solvents have a low flashpoint that makes them highly incendiary. Consequently, special care must be taken when storing and using the solvents. Below, we prove the point by exploring three chemical storage issues that come with using low flashpoint solvents, and how the issues can be resolved in a way that significantly reduces the chance of solvent ignition.

1. Fire Hazard in Storage Area

The problem: One of the most common industrial chemical storage issues, a fire hazard in the solvent storage area usually entails two things: solvents that don’t have a high flashpoint, and a source of ignition in the storage area, such as electrical switchboard equipment that could produce a powerful arc flash.

The solution: Let’s assume you can’t move your flammable solvents to another room to minimize or eliminate the hazard. You could explore creating a fireproof envelope around the room, invest in non-flammable solvents, or use with solvents that have a high flashpoint. If high flashpoint solvents aren’t an option, professional fireproofing may be the best strategy.

2. Protecting Against Leaks / Spills

The problem: Leaks and spills in the storage area typically result from faulty solvent containers and workers accidentally mishandling solvent containers, respectively. If a low flashpoint solvent leaks or spills, the liquid can create a fire hazard until it’s properly contained.

The solution: Carefully examining solvent containers before storing them — and immediately separating containers that could leak from the rest of the stock — helps prevent leaks. The best way to prevent spills is to implement a rigid protocol for how workers should handle solvent containers, and provide tools and/or equipment that assist in handling cleaners correctly.

3. Convenient Access to Chemicals

The problem: To sustain productivity for solvent-based processes, workers need a way to conveniently access solvents. However, if low flashpoint solvents are in use, they need to be stored in a fire safe area of the building, regardless of the area’s proximity to the work environment, where solvents are applied.

The solution: You could develop a special, inner-building supply chain for safely delivering flammable solvents to areas where you need them, but a better option would be the ideal solution for problem 1: Implementing non-flammable solvents or solvents that have a high flashpoint. Using these solvents is the best way to prevent solvent-based fires in the workplace.

Who We Are

Ecolink is an experienced provider of eco friendly, industrial cleaning solvents. Among our products, you’ll find solvents that have high flashpoints or are inflammable. If you use a low flashpoint solvent that one of our less flammable or inflammable stock solvents can’t replace, we can use toll blending to create a custom solvent that’s tailored to your needs.

To explore your options for implementing solvents that have a better safety profile concerning flashpoint, browse through our Product Selection Guide, call us today at (800) 563-1305, or fill out the contact form on our website. We look forward to helping you address chemical storage issues that pertain to fire safety and any other chemical storage issues you may have.